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News Archive 2006

Christina Yerian Awarded Skadden Foundation Fellowship to Provide Legal Services to the Tennessee Justice Center

Christina M. Yerian, a student at Vanderbilt University Law School, has been awarded a 2007 Skadden Foundation Fellowship to work at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) where she will provide legal advocacy services on behalf of at-risk children and children in foster care who need mental health services.  Yerian is one of only 30 law school students and graduates in the United States and the only student at a law school in the Southeast to receive the prestigious Fellowship from the Skadden Foundation in 2007. <more>

Gordon Bonnyman, TJC Executive Director, Published in the Tennessean December 29, 2006

TJC's Executive Director, Gordon Bonnyman, discusses the state's new plan for prescription drug limits in this Op/Ed piece from the Tennessean newspaper. <more>

Michele Johnson, TJC Managing Attorney, Responds to State's Attempt to Weaken Protections for Children

On November 20, 2006, the State of Tennessee filed a motion to vacate the John B. consent decree. Michele Johnson, TJC's Managing Attorney, responded, "The John B. case protects 600,000 of Tennessee's most vulnerable children. Over the past eight years, the federal court has repeatedly found, and state officials have admitted, that TennCare has violated federal laws that establish minimum quality of care standards for children.  Earlier this year, officials claimed to be in compliance, and the court appointed monitors to evaluate that claim. Now, rather than await the monitors' findings, the state demands that its promises be swept away altogether. Tennessee children deserve better than that. It is unfortunate that state officials are devoting resources to trying to avoid accountability for their failure, and the failure of their HMO contractors, to provide quality medical care to the state’s children."

Brett Dennen Performance at 3rd and Lindsey on Sunday, January 14, Will Benefit Tennessee Justice Center and Habitat for Humanity

Songwriter and singer Brett Dennen, whose artistry has been compared to the folk song singing greats of the 60s and 70s, arrives in Nashville on Sunday, January 14, 2007 to perform at 3rd and Lindsey in a benefit concert  for the Tennessee Justice Center and Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity. <more>

Former Managing Editor of The Tennessean, Sandra Roberts, Joins Our Board of Directors

Sandra Roberts, who served as managing editor of the opinion pages for The Tennessean newspaper for 19 years, has joined the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Justice Center. Roberts is well-known and respected for her editorial leadership at The Tennessean, where she guided the newspaper's efforts to make the city and state a better place to live during a period of dramatic growth in the greater Nashville area and throughout Tennessee.<more>

Retired Supreme Court Justice E. Riley Anderson Joins Tennessee Justice Center's Board of Directors

Retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice E. Riley Anderson has joined the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Justice Center announced Michele Johnson, managing attorney for the Tennessee Justice Center, a non-profit public interest law and advocacy firm serving the poor. Justice Anderson was first elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1990 and presided as its Chief Justice five times during his sixteen years of service on the court.  He retired from the court on August 31, 2006.<more>

Attorney Cynthia R. Wyrick Joins TJC's Board of Directors

Attorney Cynthia R. Wyrick, a shareholder in the law firm of Ogle, Gass & Richardson, P.C., Sevierville, Tennessee, has joined the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Justice Center announced Michele Johnson, managing attorney for the Tennessee Justice Center, a non-profit public interest law and advocacy firm serving the poor.  Wyrick is well-known in the Tennessee legal community, currently serving as Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section. She is also a Past President of the TBA Young Lawyers Division, a recent graduate of the TBA Leadership Law program, and a 2006 TBA President’s Award recipient.<more>

New board members announced for Tennessee Justice Center

The Board of Directors for Tennessee Justice Center has elected four new board members for 2006-2007, announced Michele Johnson, managing attorney for the Tennessee Justice Center. “We are very pleased to welcome these new board members, whose areas of experience and knowledge complement the talents of our existing board,” said Johnson.<more>

TJC board member featured in The Tennessean

TJC board member Rev. Henry Blaze lends a powerful voice to the call to eradicate poverty. His Nashville ministry provides physical and spiritual nourishment to inner city residents, and serves as a rallying point for those committed to fighting for low-income families. Tennessean reporter Tim Ghianni profiles Rev. Blaze in his article, "From worn trailer, pastor doles out hope," published July 1, 2006.

David R. Esquivel Joins Board of Directors at Tennessee Justice Center

Attorney David R. Esquivel, a partner in the litigation department at Bass, Berry & Sims law firm, has joined the Board of Directors at the Tennessee Justice Center announced Michele Johnson, managing attorney for the Tennessee Justice Center.

“We are very pleased to welcome David to our board,” said Johnson. “His legal work and commitment to equal justice are highly respected throughout the state and nation.” <more>

TJC celebrates 10th anniversary with clients, bar leaders and colleagues

Clients of the Tennessee Justice Center were the focus of attention at a reception March 17 marking the 10th Anniversary of the non-profit, public interest law firm. Set to the theme, What a difference the law makes!, more than 100 people attended the celebration hosted by the Tennessee Bar Association.  <more>

Art contest recognizes outstanding students

Creative students from area schools showed off their artistic talent in the Liberty and Justice Art Contest honoring the 10th Anniversary of the Tennessee Justice Center. A fifth-grader envisioned the Statue of Liberty as the "Cat-tue" of Liberty.  A Martha Vaught Middle School student redrew America’s best loved statue in four native garbs, each wrapped in her native flag. <more>

TJC co-founder Michele Johnson nominated for Nashville ATHENA Award

Michele Johnson is the 2006 Nashville ATHENA Award nominee of The Lawyer's Association for Women. Johnson is the managing attorney of the Tennessee Justice Center, a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to serving the poor. The ATHENA Award is considered Nashville's highest award of recognition for the achievements of professional women.  <more>

TJC clients fall through gaping holes in TennCare 'Safety Net'

Every day, there is a new heartbreak - a client has called the TJC, terrified and ill and desperate, in hopes that we can do something to help them regain their health coverage or simply get the medicines they need to live.

And, after listening and asking questions and researching every possible avenue for services, we can do little except refer them to the 'Safety Net' - the elusive, complex and constantly changing patchwork of temporary help for those cut from TennCare. It has aptly been described as being more like a basketball net - with a big hole at the top, and a big hole at the bottom. <more>

Home-Based vs. Institutionalized Care

Tennesseans say they want their family members who are elderly or disabled to remain at home or in the community as long as possible.  But most of Tennessee's long term care spending is on institutional, usually nursing home care.  Why is our state wasting money on care that no one wants? <more>

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